Irrigation apparatus

ABSTRACT

Irrigation apparatus including a water supply pipe supported by a plurality of carriages spaced therealong, the carriages having wheels spaced in the direction of movement and on opposite sides of the pipe, and vertically retractable and extendible in response to unevenness in the ground tending to support the pipe evenly, and cables supporting the pipe at a plurality of points between the carriages and from points on the carriages spaced transversely of and on opposite sides of the pipe.

United States Patent J urgens June 13, 1972 [54] IRRIGATION APPARATUS3,353,751 I III 967 Dowd ..239/l 77 [72] Inventor: Adolph C. Jurgens,5135 North Keating 12;?" et Avenue Chicago, I. 60630 [22] Filed: Nov.12, 1968 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [2|] Appl 774,656 324,1]38/1920 Germany ..239/I 77 Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King 52] [1.8. CI.239/I77, 239/ l 9 l, 239/2 I 2 Attorney-Paul H. Gallagher [5 I Int. Cl..B0$h 3/00 [58] FIeldoISearch ..239/l77, I78, I91. I92, 212. [57]ABSTRACT Irrigation apparatus including a water supply pipe supported56] Re'mnces cited by a plurality of carriages space cl therealong, thecarriages having wheels spaced "1 the dlreeuon of movement and on op-UNITED STATES PATENTS posite sides of the pipe, and verticallyretractable and extendible in response to unevenness in the groundtending to support R26,285 10/1967 Stafford 239/[91 X the pipe evenly.and cables suppol'ling [11 pipe at a plurality Of 729,650 6/1903Olofsson I v ..239/191 points between the carriages and from points onthe carriages 2,057.2 I 7 I0/ 1936 P 239/19] X spaced transversely ofand on opposite sides of the pipe. 2,5 I 8,952 8/1950 Sohmer......239/166 X 3,140,827 7/1964 Fletcher ..239/2 I 2 X 12 Clains, 24Drawing figures PATENTEnJun 13 m2 SHEET 1 [If 5 Ill 1 m l we FIG. 3

IN VE N TOR FIG. 4

PATENTEDJUH 13 I972 3.669. 355

sum 2 UF 5 IN VE N TOR 4001 P// C. JUEGf/Vf PATENTEnJun 13 I972 SHEET 3OF 5 IN VENTOR A do/ph C. Jurgens A TT).

PATENTEDJUH 1a 1912 SHEET Q [If 5 INVENTOR Adolph C. Jurgens m/PATENTEDJUH 13 m2 SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTOR ph C Jurgen Ad I ATTY FIG. 21

l I l I l l I l l IIIIIIII|IIII BACKGROUND The invention resides in thefield of that kind of irrigation apparatus utilizable with anunderground main having one or more standpipes projecting above theground to which a supply pipe is connected which is moved across an areato be irrigated, having a number of spray noules spaced along the pipeand effective for distributing the irrigating water over the areatraversed by the supply pipe.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A broad object of the present invention is toprovide novel irrigation apparatus which is disposed above the groundand self-propelled therealong by the pressure of the water being movedtherethrough for irrigation purposes.

Another broad object is to provide novel irrigation apparatus of theabove character which is of unusually stable construction and operablefor suspending the pipe carrying the irrigating water supporting ituniformly along its length, and also supporting it against displacementsideways.

Still another object is to provide irrigation apparatus of the foregoingcharacter of novel construction effective for supporting the water pipeeffectively in proper position notwithstanding unevenness in the ground.

Still another object is to provide irrigation apparatus of the foregoingcharacter which because of its novel construction and support of thewater pipe can be made of unusually great length and corresponding greatcapacity.

A further object is to provide irrigation apparatus of the foregoingcharacter which is self-propelled generally transversely across theground, and in which the sprinkling or water distribution operationtakes place rearwardly of the water supply pipe whereby to prevent unduewetting of the ground in the area of the self-propelling wheels wherebyto provide good traction of the apparatus in the self-propellingoperation.

An additional object is to provide apparatus of the foregoing characterwhich is of self-propelling characteristics, and provided withpropelling wheels, wherein the overall structure can be build relativelyhigh from the ground to accommodate correspondingly high crops, butwhich is supported on relatively small wheels, with correspondingconvenience and economy in manufacture.

An additional object is to provide irrigation apparatus of the foregoingcharacter which is particularly adaptable to alternatively positioningits supporting wheels for convenience in moving the apparatus from onesite or location to another.

Still another object is to provide irrigation apparatus of the foregoinggeneral character which is not only stable in operative position, butremains stable in the same degree throughout all of its movementsresulting from unevenness in the ground.

A still further and more specific object is to provide irrigationapparatus of the foregoing general character including a supply pipe ofgreat length and a plurality of carriages spaced along the supply pipefor supporting it, in which each carriage includes supporting points onopposite sides of the pipe in the direction of the movement of the pipeand wherein the supporting points remain symmetrical on opposite sidesof the pipe regardless of all movements and deflections of the pipe invertical directions, whereby to provide stability to each of thecarriages in direction of movement, i.e., transversely of the length ofthe pipe, regardless of the vertical position of the pipe due tounevenness in the ground.

A still further object of the invention is to provide irrigationapparatus of the foregoing character which is adapted to movement acrossa field uniformly in direction transverse to the length of the field,whereby to uniformly cover a rectangular field, as distinguished fromthe coverage provided by a rotary type apparatus.

An additional object is to provide a novel gear reduction deviceincluding interchangeable parts facilitating changing the ratio ofreduction thereof, and further such a device particularly adapted toirrigation apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In the drawings:

FIG. I is a plan view semi-diagrammatic in nature of the apparatus ofthe present invention as positioned in a field or area to be irrigated;

FIG. 2 is a semi-diagrammatic view of the apparatus, taken in side viewas indicated at line 2-2 of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the apparatus on a relativelylarger scale;

FIG. 4 is a large scale view of one of the carriages of the apparatus,being in plan and thus oriented according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the carriage taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showingthe carriage in extended position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the carriage in retractedposition;

FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of construction utilized in theframes of the carriages;

FIG. 8 is a large scale detail view of the portion of the apparatusenclosed in dot-dash lines at the upper portion of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a large scale view of an attachment for mounting the supplypipe on one of the carriages;

FIG. 10 is a detail view on a large scale taken at line l0 10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. II is a view in large scale taken in the area enclosed by dot-dashlines 1! of FIG. 4, from the underside of the pipe;

FIG. 12 is a large scale detail view of a spring-mounting arrangement,indicated in enclosing dot-dash lines 12 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a large scale view of a sprinkler unit;

FIG. 14 is a large scale detail view of a self-propelling unit;

FIG. I5 is a large scale view taken at line 15-15 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 16 shows an alternate form of detail construction of selfpropelling unit;

FIG. I7 shows an alternate combination construction including elementsof the sprinkling unit and the self-propelling unit;

FIG. 18 is a detail view of a portion of the means for mounting a wheel,taken at line 18-48 of FIG. 5;

FIG. I9 is a detail view oriented according to FIG. 5 but showingalternate positions of the wheels, i.e., the position for transportingthe apparatus from one location to another;

FIG. 20 is a detail view of a portion of carriage showing an alternaterigid construction;

FIG. 2] is a semi-diagrammatic plan view of a rectangular area to beirrigated and indication of the arrangement of the apparatus formovement uniformly transversely across that area, as distinguished fromrotary movement;

FIG. 22 is a view oriented according to FIG. 5 showing a modified formof carriage;

FIG. 23, partially in axial section, shows one form of gear reducer; and

FIG. 24 is a view taken at line 24--24 of FIG. 23.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, attention isdirected first to FIGS. I and 2. The apparatus is shown in its entiretyat 30 mounted in position in an area 32 rectangular in shape, andmounted for rotary movement in that area about an axis 34, therebydescribing a circular area 36, the major portion of which coincides witha major portion of the area of the rectangular area or field 32. Due tovarious circumstances it becomes more convenient to arrange theapparatus for rotary movement and thus the portion of the field that isirrigated is an optimum portion, considering the area beyond whichirrigation does take place, from an economic standpoint for irrigatingthe intended area 32. It has been found that rotary types of apparatusare useful and economic, but the invention is not limited thereto aspointed out hereinbelow.

The irrigation apparatus 30 is adapted for use with a water supply main38 imbedded in the ground from which extends a standpipe 40 defining theaxis 34, in this case in the center of the field. The apparatus itselfincludes a water supply pipe 42 preferably in sections connected withthe standpipe and supported by a plurality of carriages 44 spaced alongthe supply pipe throughout the full radius thereof in accordance withthe circular area 36 to be covered. The apparatus may be of any lengthwithin a wide range, and a common length of apparatus, or pipe 42 is onthe order of l,300 feet, which as a radius and sweeping through an area36, plus the projection of the water longitudinally beyond the supplypipe, covers an area of about a quarter of a mile in radius, andeffectively, or nearly, covers a quarter section in area. The supplypipe 42 may for example be 6 inches in diameter and the carriages 44 forsupporting the pipe are preferably on the order of 100 feet apart, therebeing, therefore, 13 of the carriages along that pipe of the lengthindicated.

The details of the structure of the carriages are shown in FIGS. 3-9.Each carriage includes a pair of frame members 46 which are closelysimilar and substantially identical in structure, and individuallyidentified as 46a and 46b. Each member frame is made up of a pair of Aframes, individually identified 460i and 46a2 in the one case and 46b]and 46b2 in the other case. Each of the elements or legs of the "A"frames is preferably in the form of a truss as shown in FIG. 7,including angle irons 47 with diagonal pieces 48 interconnecting them.The two .A frames of each frame member, such as for example 4601, 46a2,are arranged in opposed manner but together forming a continuous framemember, preferably straight in direction as viewed in FIGS. and 6, eachframe member thereby having a relatively long leg 4601, 46a2,respectively, and a relatively short leg 46b], 46b2.

The frame members 46 of the carriage are preferably made of segmentedconstruction for facilitating assembling and disassembling them in thefield, which may be arranged in any of various ways. For example, asshown in FIG. 7 the angle irons 47 may be separate pieces securedtogether by splice elements 49 removably held in position as by means ofbolts.

The frame members 46 are mounted on wheels 50 at their lower ends, thelatter being provided with sprockets 51 on which are trained chains 52for propelling the carriage by the force of the irrigating water asdescribed below. The means for mounting the supply pipe on the carriagesmay be of suitable type, but a construction represented in H6. 9 hasbeen found very successful. A complete unit is indicated at 53 andincludes a base plate 55 having adjacent each end a plurality of, e.g.,three, plates 56 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. This unitalso includes a gear reducer S7 to be referred to again hereinbelow. Theunit is secured to the pipe 42 preferably by welding as indicated at 58.The "A frames 46 are pivotably mounted in the plates 56, and pivoted onaxis means such as bolts 60 mounted in the plates 56, on an axis 62. TheA" frames 46 are thus mounted for relative swinging movement about thataxis in the movements of the carriage in response to uneven ground, asreferred to again herein below. For purposes brought out fullyhereinbelow, the gear reducer 57 has an output shaft 64 disposed on theaxis 62, provided with sprockets 66, 68 on which the chains 52 aretrained respectively for use in propelling the apparatus along theground, as will be referred to again hereinbelow. The unit 53 justdescribed being secured to the supply pipe 42 serves as the meansdirectly mounting the supply pipe on the carriage.

The wheels 50 may be of any suitable type, such as pneumatic, and eachmounted in a yoke 70, having a top plate 72 (FIGS. l8, 19) which engagesa plate 74 on the lower end of the corresponding frame member 46. Theyoke and thus the wheel, is mounted for selective positioning about avertical axis by means of a bolt 76 and is held in selected position bymeans of a transporting 78 extending through a hole in the plate 74 andin either of the holes 80, 82 in the plate 72. The holes 80, 82 aredisposed 90 apart about the axis of the bolt 76 and when the pin 78 ispositioned in the hole 80, the wheels are positioned as indicated inFIGS. 5 and 6 for the irrigating operation, and travel in directiongenerally transverse to the direction of the supply pipe, but when thepin is positioned in the other hole 82, the wheels are alignedlongitudinally of the supply pipe for transforting the apparatus fromone field to another.

On each side of the carriage is a vertical compression spring means 84interconnected between the upper leg of one frame member 46 and thelower leg of the other frame member. This construction may be of anysuitable compression arrangement, as desired such for example as shownin FIG. 12, in this case including a rod 86 connected with the lower endof the frame member and another rod 88 connected with the upper end ofthe other frame member, one rod, 88, has a tube 9! extending through theplate, and the other rod, 86, extending through the plate and telescopedin the tube. The tube and extension of rod 86 are surrounded by acompression spring 92, compressed between those plates. Upon upwardmovement of the wheels, in response to uneveness in the ground, theframe members tend to spread to a position indicated in FIG. 6, againstthe reaction of the compression spring means 84; the unevenness in theground and spreading of the frame members provide a mutuallycompensating effect, and the result is that the position of the supplypipe 42 tends to remain in the absolute vertical height as theretofore,i.e., relative to a normal ground level without such unevenness,resulting in a tendency to uniform horizontal positioning of the pipe,it being understood, of course, that this condition is not achievedexactly, but vertical unevenness of the pipe is minimized. The pipepossesses a substantial degree of flexibility, bending to a considerableextent in such conditions, it being not necessary to provide flexiblecouplings between the sections of the pipe.

It will be noted the wheels 48 are relatively small, and they may beordinary automobile tires, while the pipe 42 can be and is supported atrelatively great height, for passing over crop plants.

Means is provided for supporting the supply pipe at a plu rality ofpositions between adjacent carriages 44. This at rangement is shown bestin FIGS. 3, 4, 8, 10, 11. Supporting elements 94, which may be rods, areinterconnected between the outer ends of the frame members 46 and thepipe. One convenient means of connecting these rods to the pipe isindicated in FIG. 10 which may consist of a plate 96 welded to theunderside of the pipe and having flanges 9B in which the elements 94 aresecured. The other ends of the rods extend through the outer ends of theframe members as shown in FIG. 8, and provided with compression springs100 compressed between the frame member itself and securement members102 on the extended ends of the rods.

Additionally other supporting elements 104 which may be rods or cables,preferably cables, are secured to the outer ends of the frame members 46by suitable means indicated by 106, which need not be provided withresilient means such as compression springs. Preferably these elementsor cables 42 pass under the supply pipe and extend to the respective butopposite frame members of the next carriage, in both directions. Thesupport elements 104 therefore support the pipe midway between the framemembers while the other elements 94 are positioned for supporting thepipe preferably at positions onefourth the spacing from the carriage.Upon movement of the carriages, or the pipe, relative to each other, theelements 104 may shift longitudinally, and preferably therefore are notfixed to the pipe but allowed to shift, but are however passed throughtubes 105 welded to the pipe, to prevent rubbing of the cables together.The support members 94, 104, thus support the supply pipe at threepoints between each two adjacent carriages, and thus at pointsone-fourth the length of the segments of the supply pipe between thecarriages, this distance as indicated above being in one example ofconstruction on the order of 100 feet, and thus the pipe, for examplebeing 6 inches in diameter, is well supported at 25 foot intervals.Since the outer or longer support elements 104 extend from one carriageto the next, it is unnecessary to provide cushioning or resilientmembers such as the compression springs 102 provided on the shortersupporting elements 94. Additionally, cables or rods 107 are provided onthe sides interconnecting all the carriages, to provide a substantialdegree of rigidity, resisting displacement horizontally about verticalaxis. In this case there preferably are no resilient yielding meansinterposed between the cables and carriages, but may be rigid asindicated at 108 in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 13 and 14 together show in detail the spray unit and a selfpropelling unit associated therewith which are included in FIGS. 5 and 6on a smaller scale. Leading from the supply pipe 42 is a water line 109of suitable kind such as a flexible hose preferably having a controlvalve 110 and terminating in a noule construction 112 preferablyincluding a pair of arms 114 having noules 116 directed horizontally andgenerally oppositely but tangential to a water wheel 118 (FIG. on thepropelling unit 120 (FIG. 14) described below.

The propelling unit 120 is directly associated with the gear reducer 57(FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 14) which has an input shaft 122. Connected with theinput shaft 122 by suitable connections such as a universal joint 124 orequivalent, is another shaft 126 on which the wheel 118 is secured. Theshaft 126 may be supported by suitable means such as a bearing I28supported by a link 130 secured to the associated frame member 46. Thewheel 118 includes a disc 136 forming the body of the wheel from whichare struck vanes 138 extending generally axially. The water uponemerging from the noules 116 strikes the vanes, rotating the wheel andshaft which in turn acting through the gear reducer and output shaft 64and further through the sprockets 66, 68 and chains 50, drive the wheels48 and thus propel the carriage along the field in direction generallytransverse to the length of the supply pipe 42. In the foregoingdescription the pipe follows a rotary motion but in another form of theinvention the apparatus follows a uniformly straight directiontransverse to the pipe, and the transverse movement referred to isintended to be generic to the movement in both cases.

FIG. 16 shows a slightly modified construction, utilizing a pair offlexible couplings 132 in the self propelling unit instead of theuniversal joint 124 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 shows a detail modification; a tube or pipe 134 receives theshaft 126 and a flexible hose I36 leads from the supply pipe 42 to thetube, and the outer end of the latter is provided with a spray head 112of FIG. 13.

An important feature of the invention is that the water is distributedrearwardly of the apparatus, leaving dry the ground where the wheels arepositioned and thus not interfering with the traction provided thewheels on the dry ground.

The spray nozzles 116 are operative for distributing the water fullythroughout the intended distance, e.g., 50 feet plus a distance forassurance of full coverage.

The rate of movement of the apparatus is very slow, one example beingone complete rotation in l 1 days, and therefore the speed reductionbetween the water wheel 118 and the propelling wheels is enormous.Consequently the water wheel rovides great torque, sufficient for easilydriving the apparatus.

FIG. shows a carriage structure which includes frame members 46 whichare rigidly secured together. The frame members may be interconnected byrigid elements 138 and bolted as indicated at 140. There are manyinstances where land to be irrigated is substantially flat and in suchcase the retracting type of carriage described above is not necessary,and the rigid type is less expensive.

FIG. 2] indicates the use of the apparatus in a rectangular field but ina pattern of movement which is directly and uniformly transverse to thedirection of the apparatus. A water main is indicated at 144 from whichrise a plurality of standpipes 146 along one edge of the field. Theapparatus may be connected to each standpipe by a flexible connection148 enabling the apparatus to move by self-propulsion a distanceequivalent to the spacing between the standpipes, i.e., from midwaybetween one pair of standpipes to midway between the next two.

It will be understood that the gear reducers 5'7 in the first embodimentare selected according to speed reduction to provide the progressivelygreater speed outwardly from the axis, while in the present instance allof them are of the same reduction ratio.

FIG. 22 shows a carriage 146 including frame members 148 generallysimilar in construction to the frame members 46 but each made ofsections detachably secured together by pieces 150, defining openings1S2 receiving the supply pipe 42 therein. The mounting unit 53 may beincorporated as befor while the axis 62 is disposed in the upper edgesof the frame members. In addition to the compression springs 84,horizontal tension springs 152 interconnect respective arms of the framemembers and bias the carriage to retracted position.

FIG. 23 shows a form of gear reducer 57 which includes a housing 153having fixed member 154 in which is rotatably mounted a member 156having an internal ring gear 158 and an output shaft 160. Another fixedhousing member 162 has a fixed internal ring gear 164 having a differentnumber of of teeth from the ring gear 158. Rotatably mounted in themember 162 is an input shaft 166 having a squared inner end portion 168(see also FIG. 24) loosely receiving a sun gear 170, and meshing withthe sun gear and both ring gears is a floating planet gear 172.

The housing member 162 is provided with hand grip elements 174facilitating separating the housing members. The

operator can then quickly replace the sun gear and planet gear with onesof different sizes for changing the ratio of gear reduction. The member162 is biased to closed position by a compression spring 176 workingagainst a fixed element 180, the input shaft 166 being telescoping forexample to accommodate movement of the member 162.

The input shaft 166 has the water wheel 118 mounted thereon, while theoutput shaft preferably operates through a worm gear component 182 whichdrives the chain 52 for driving the carriage.

I claim:

1. Irrigation apparatus comprising, a relatively long supply pipeadapted for connection at one end to a water main, and adapted formovement in direction generally transverse to its length, a plurality ofcarriages supporting the supply pipe at points spaced along the supplypipe and supporting it in spaced relation above the ground, eachcarriage including a pair of frames, and a wheel on each frame, lyinggenerally in a plane transverse to the length of the supply pipe withthe wheels spaced a substantial distance transversely of the supply pipeand positioned on opposite sides thereof, yielding means incorporated inthe carriage enabling rising of each wheel independently of the otherand relative to the body of the carriage in response to encountering arise in the ground, whereby to limit movements of the supply pipe to anextent less than in the case of a rigid carriage and wheels rigidlymounted therein.

2. Irrigation apparatus according to claim I wherein the yielding meansis operative for enabling yielding movement of the frames in response tovertical movements of the wheels mounted in the respective frames, inresponse to encountering rises in the ground, and the carriage havingmeans supporting the supply pipe at a point closely adjacent theposition of connection between the frames.

3. Irrigation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the frames arepivotally interconnected in the form of an X" forming a pair ofdownwardly diverging legs on which the wheels are mounted and upwardlydiverging upper extensions of the frames, compression springs mountedbetween the upper extensions and legs on the opposite sides of thecarriage, the frames yielding in response to either of the wheelsencountering rises in the ground in response to which the respectivewheels rise and cause the frames to move relatively toward a flattenedposition against the action of the compression springs, whereby tominimize vertical movements of the pivot axis between the frames inresponse to such vertical movements of the wheels, and the carriagesupporting the supply pipe at a point closely adjacent to and verticallyfixedly secured in association with the axis of said pivot axis.

4. Irrigation apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the upperextensions of the frames according to their construction as specified,extend beyond the supply pipe both upwardly and laterally, and theapparatus including supporting cables secured to the upper ends of therespective extensions of the frames and toward the next carriages alongand under the supply pipe.

5. lrrigation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said supportingcables are non-yieldingly secured to the upper ends of the carriageframes, and also wherein such supporting cables are mounted for relativesliding movement longitudinally of the supply pipe and in direction fromone carriage to the next.

6. An irrigation apparatus according to claim 3 and including supportingcables from the upper extended ends of the car riage frames to thesupply pipe at points on the latter less than half the distance to thenext adjacent carriage.

7. Irrigation apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the support cablesare rigidly secured to the supply pipe and yieldingly connected to theupper ends of the carriage frames, whereby to effectively change thelength of those support cables in response to the carriage framespivoting relative to each other in consequent vertical and lateralmovements of the upper extended ends thereof.

8. lrrigating apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the upperextensions of the frames extend beyond the supply pipe both upwardly andlaterally, and the apparatus including cables connected with saidextensions and inclined inwardly toward and secured to the supply pipeand thereby resisting deflection of the supply pipe in transversedirections.

9. Irrigation apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the supportingcables include certain cables secured to said upper extensions andsecured directly to the supply pipe.

l0. Irrigation apparatus as set out in claim 8 in which certain of thesupporting cables are secured to said upper extensions in adjacentcarriages and also support the supply pipe at positions substantiallymidway between the adjacent carriages, and whereby upon transversemovement of the ends of said upper extensions, and consequent loweringor raising of the supply pipe supported thereby, the supply pipe in itsvertical movements is maintained substantially midway between the endsof said upper extensions and thereby maintained substantially againsttransverse horizontal deflection.

l l. Irrigation apparatus according to claim I wherein each carriageincludes a pair of frame members pivotally interconnected on an axisextending generally along the pipe and having upwardly and outwardlyextending terminal arms, and self propelling means which includes a gearreducer, an input shaft operatively connected thereto and extendingtherefrom rearwardly relative to the direction of movement of theapparatus, and having a water wheel on the outer end thereof, water lineleading from the supply pipe to said water wheel and having nozzlesdirected against the water wheel in position for rotating it, meansinterconnecting the gear reducer and the wheels of the carriagepropelling the carriage, the propelling means including a shaftextending rearwardly from the supply pipe, and links suspending theouter end of the shaft from the upper outer end of the respective framemember of the carriage.

l2. Irrigation apparatus according to claim ll wherein the propellingmeans incorporates a sprinkler unit including a flexible conduit leadingfrom the supply pipe outwardly to the water wheel.

I It t l

1. Irrigation apparatus comprising, a relatively long supply pipeadapted for connection at one end to a water main, and adapTed formovement in direction generally transverse to its length, a plurality ofcarriages supporting the supply pipe at points spaced along the supplypipe and supporting it in spaced relation above the ground, eachcarriage including a pair of frames, and a wheel on each frame, lyinggenerally in a plane transverse to the length of the supply pipe withthe wheels spaced a substantial distance transversely of the supply pipeand positioned on opposite sides thereof, yielding means incorporated inthe carriage enabling rising of each wheel independently of the otherand relative to the body of the carriage in response to encountering arise in the ground, whereby to limit movements of the supply pipe to anextent less than in the case of a rigid carriage and wheels rigidlymounted therein.
 2. Irrigation apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe yielding means is operative for enabling yielding movement of theframes in response to vertical movements of the wheels mounted in therespective frames, in response to encountering rises in the ground, andthe carriage having means supporting the supply pipe at a point closelyadjacent the position of connection between the frames.
 3. Irrigationapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the frames are pivotallyinterconnected in the form of an ''''X'''' forming a pair of downwardlydiverging legs on which the wheels are mounted and upwardly divergingupper extensions of the frames, compression springs mounted between theupper extensions and legs on the opposite sides of the carriage, theframes yielding in response to either of the wheels encountering risesin the ground in response to which the respective wheels rise and causethe frames to move relatively toward a flattened position against theaction of the compression springs, whereby to minimize verticalmovements of the pivot axis between the frames in response to suchvertical movements of the wheels, and the carriage supporting the supplypipe at a point closely adjacent to and vertically fixedly secured inassociation with the axis of said pivot axis.
 4. Irrigation apparatusaccording to claim 3 wherein the upper extensions of the framesaccording to their construction as specified, extend beyond the supplypipe both upwardly and laterally, and the apparatus including supportingcables secured to the upper ends of the respective extensions of theframes and toward the next carriages along and under the supply pipe. 5.Irrigation apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said supporting cablesare non-yieldingly secured to the upper ends of the carriage frames, andalso wherein such supporting cables are mounted for relative slidingmovement longitudinally of the supply pipe and in direction from onecarriage to the next.
 6. An irrigation apparatus according to claim 3and including supporting cables from the upper extended ends of thecarriage frames to the supply pipe at points on the latter less thanhalf the distance to the next adjacent carriage.
 7. Irrigation apparatusaccording to claim 6 wherein the support cables are rigidly secured tothe supply pipe and yieldingly connected to the upper ends of thecarriage frames, whereby to effectively change the length of thosesupport cables in response to the carriage frames pivoting relative toeach other in consequent vertical and lateral movements of the upperextended ends thereof.
 8. Irrigating apparatus according to claim 3wherein the upper extensions of the frames extend beyond the supply pipeboth upwardly and laterally, and the apparatus including cablesconnected with said extensions and inclined inwardly toward and securedto the supply pipe and thereby resisting deflection of the supply pipein transverse directions.
 9. Irrigation apparatus according to claim 8wherein the supporting cables include certain cables secured to saidupper extensions and secured directly to the supply pipe.
 10. Irrigationapparatus as set out in claim 8 in which certain of the supportingcables are secured To said upper extensions in adjacent carriages andalso support the supply pipe at positions substantially midway betweenthe adjacent carriages, and whereby upon transverse movement of the endsof said upper extensions, and consequent lowering or raising of thesupply pipe supported thereby, the supply pipe in its vertical movementsis maintained substantially midway between the ends of said upperextensions and thereby maintained substantially against transversehorizontal deflection.
 11. Irrigation apparatus according to claim 1wherein each carriage includes a pair of frame members pivotallyinterconnected on an axis extending generally along the pipe and havingupwardly and outwardly extending terminal arms, and self propellingmeans which includes a gear reducer, an input shaft operativelyconnected thereto and extending therefrom rearwardly relative to thedirection of movement of the apparatus, and having a water wheel on theouter end thereof, water line leading from the supply pipe to said waterwheel and having nozzles directed against the water wheel in positionfor rotating it, means interconnecting the gear reducer and the wheelsof the carriage propelling the carriage, the propelling means includinga shaft extending rearwardly from the supply pipe, and links suspendingthe outer end of the shaft from the upper outer end of the respectiveframe member of the carriage.
 12. Irrigation apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein the propelling means incorporates a sprinkler unitincluding a flexible conduit leading from the supply pipe outwardly tothe water wheel.